THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 127, 30 May 1916, Page 7

THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —On noticing "Fair Play's" and "Young Mother's" letters in your paper, I, too, would like to state my case. Wn were married in November, 1914, and I would like to point out that our marriage was arranged twelve months beforehand, and it took us twelve months' good hard work' to get our little home together. I must say my husband is not a "shirker;" he had no idea of evading military du£y, as he was a seafaring man before settling down in New Zealand, and men that go down to the sea in ships are not in the habit of shirking dangers. I notice in "Another Mother's" letter she says that we young mothers are able to go oufr to work. Now, take my case; we have not a relative in New Zealand; therefore I would be left with my little baby to battle along the best way I could, and not a soul to turn to. Now, I think there are hundreds of cases like mine, and think they should receive consideration of Parliament when framing the Bill. I think those marriages that were contracted in the early Stages of the war were not contracted solely to evade their duty, but I do believe and know that there were a lot of marriages contracted during October and November, 1915, and since, as stated by "Fair Play," just to1 try and evade their duty. lam sure that the young married men, who married early in the war, do not mind taking their turn, but tne sting lies in being classed as single men, for, after all, a man is no hero to leave his wife and child, or children as the case may be, to the mercy of this pitiless world, when there are so many single men who say they have no intention of going to "do their bit," and to relieve their mates who are calling them. I hope some more able ■pen than mine 'will take this matter up, and that it will receive attention from the'proper quarter,—l am, etc., ALSO A YOUNG MOTHER. . g TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l quite endorse, all that '"Another Mother" has stated in Friday's issue of the Evening Post. .1 certainly think that widows' supports should not be called upon before married men. of "enlisting" age, who _ have no encumbrances, and* only a wife to support. The latter is certainly the abler of the two to work for herself should necessity arise—-not the widowed mother, who has brought up a family and borne the heat and1 burden of the day, and now has reached an age when she is requiring her supports more than ever, and who ought not to be left as an object of charity or pity. Surely the Government would not like to see the elderly women, working for themselves before the young ones? In the second place, the Government ought to deal with the high cost of living before passing the Military Bill, as with the ruling prices of commodities produced in this country, the working people will never be able to make ends meet, and purchase sufficient of the necessaries of life; thus further depleting those who have already sacrificed sons for the Empire. Mr. Massey has 6tated that New Zealand is in a very prosperous condition. Well, this must only apply to the fanners and tho3e who are reaping huge war profits—a thing which no section of the community should be allowed to do in the time of tile Empire's agony. Ido not consider this patriotism! Although such is permitted, and file -motor-cars are "flowing" into this country, this must not be looked upon as true prosperity. Trusting the Government will do its clear duty.— I am, etc., MOTHER, No. 3. 29th May, 1916. 10 THE EDITOR. Sir, —I notice that the Wellington trades unionists have condemned the Military Service Bill, also that an AntiConscription League has been formed. I am not. proposing to discuss the details of the Military Service Bill, bob, as a mere mother of a soldier, to ask, by what right the anti-conscriptionists— who have had nearly two years in which to enlist—expect' other men to protect their persons, their families, and their property, and meanly accept safety by the blood of the soldiers and sailors of the Empire. And have they forgotten the sufferings of the women and children of Belgium? and would they not mind seeing their little ones mutilated and their wives and mothers bearing horrors unmentionable, will they stand tamely by when these things come ? They must, because it will then be too late to help. Do they forget the brutal cruelty of these. Prussians? Do they know wliat the Prussianism they talk*of really; is? And lastly, will any of these so-called men tell me why my only son should help protect them. —I am, etc., A SOLDIER'S MOTHER. 29th May, 1916.